What's happened to ex-Charlton Athletic, Liverpool and Newcastle United star Jonjo Shelvey | OneFootball

The midfielder now plays his football abroad after a successful career in England.

Former Premier League and England international midfielder Jonjo Shelvey now plays his football abroad after leaving Burnley earlier this year.

Shelvey started his career in the EFL with Charlton Athletic, where he became the Addicks' youngest ever player in 2008, before signing for Liverpool in 2010 for an initial fee worth £1.7 million.

The midfielder spent three seasons at Anfield, during which he also made his debut for England, prior to joining fellow top-flight side Swansea City for £5 million in the summer of 2013.

Newcastle United signed Shelvey for £12 million in January 2016, and he went on to enjoy a seven-year spell at St James' Park before finishing his Premier League career at Nottingham Forest in 2023.

The 33-year-old can look back on a successful career in England that saw him rack up 278 Premier League appearances, command more than £18 million in transfer fees, represent his country on six occasions, and win the Championship title with Newcastle.

Now, Shelvey has embarked on a new life abroad, having left the UK earlier this year a few months after his contract expired at Turf Moor.

What has happened to Jonjo Shelvey since leaving Burnley?

Shelvey is now playing in the UAE Second Division League for Arabian Falcons, and he discussed his move abroad back in October, as per BBC Sport.

"I've seen a few things like 'he's gone there for money'," Shelvey said.

"I'm thinking 'what money? There's no money in the UAE Second Division League'.

"The ballpark of the standard wage here is £2,000-a-month for a footballer. In terms of what I've earned throughout my career, that's nothing.

"My brother earns more working in a hotel in London, so it was never about coming here for the money."

Shelvey has linked up with his childhood friend, Harry Agombar, who is the manager of Arabian Falcons, while he is also coaching in the evenings in Dubai as he studies for his UEFA A License coaching qualification.

Shelvey did not want his kids growing up in England

Another reason why Shelvey has moved to the UAE is that he does not want his kids growing up in England.

"If I'm honest, I don't want my children growing up in England anymore," he said.

"I'd never wear a watch in London anymore. You can't have your phone out in London, in my view.

"I'm not massive on reading politics. I just see some of the things that go on.

"I see people getting arrested for tweeting and, then, all of the flags and 'taking back the country'.

"I'm not going to sit here and comment on things like that because I'm not clever enough to, and I'll get myself into trouble if I carry on, but I just feel the UK isn't what it was 10 to 15 years ago."

It seems as though Shelvey is content playing second division football in the UAE while he embarks on his coaching journey, having left England behind for the time being.